Emigrating to the United States to be reunited with your partner is a dream for many. However, before starting the process, it is essential to know which type of visa suits each situation. The most common are the K1 visa and the CR1 (or IR1) visa, both linked to family reunification, although with different objectives and stages.
The CR1 visa is granted to the spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident with whom a legally valid marriage already exists. “CR” stands for “Conditional Resident” and applies if the couple has been married for less than two years at the time of approval for residency. The “IR1” or “Immediate Relative” category is granted when the marriage has been in effect for more than two years, eliminating the conditional nature of the status.
The K1 visa, on the other hand, is for fiancées of U.S. citizens who plan to marry in the United States.
It is a temporary non-immigrant document that allows entry into the country to celebrate the marriage within 90 days of arrival.
Once married, the foreign national may apply for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident.
Requirements and application process
The first step in applying for either of these visas is to file a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), by filling out Form I-130 in the case of the CR1 visa, or Form I-129F for the K1 visa.
For the fiancé visa, the U.S. citizen must show that the couple has seen each other in person at least once in the last two years, except in cases of religious or cultural impediments.
In the case of the CR1 visa, proof of legal marriage and evidence of a genuine relationship is required, including financial documents, photographs and letters of support.
Once the petition is approved, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC), which coordinates the consular interview.
The applicant must undergo a medical check-up, submit original documentation and pay the corresponding fees before receiving a final decision.
Approximate costs and lead times
The total cost of the process varies depending on the category, but both visas involve several payments to USCIS and other institutions involved.
USCIS Filing Fee: $560
NVC fee: $445 (divided into $120 for affidavit of support and $325 for DS-260 visa application).
Immigrant fee: $220
Medical examination: between $200 and $500, depending on the country.
Travel and relocation costs: variable on a case-by-case basis
On average, the entire CR1 visa process can take between 12 and 17 months from initial petition to arrival in the United States.
The K1 visa is usually a little faster, with an estimated time of 8 to 14 months, as it allows early entry into the country before marriage.
However, once married, K1 applicants must complete additional paperwork to obtain residency, which can eventually equal the CR1 process times.
Who can apply and what conditions must be met
It is important to keep in mind that there is no minimum age to initiate the application for these visas, but the sponsor must be at least 18 years old at the time of signing the Affidavit of Financial Sponsorship.
In addition, you must demonstrate sufficient income or assets to support your partner and prevent your partner from becoming dependent on public assistance once in the US.
As for the concept of “spouse”, USCIS defines it as a person legally united by civil marriage.
Free unions or cohabitations do not qualify to apply for a visa based on a marital relationship.
On the contrary, in the case of the K1 visa, it will be sufficient that both are legally engaged with the real and demonstrable intention to marry within the legal period established after admission to the country.
Which is more convenient?
The decision between applying for a K1 or CR1 visa will depend on current marital status, available time and residency preferences.
If the couple is not yet married, the K1 visa may be more immediate, although it involves more steps after marriage.
On the other hand, the CR1 visa directly grants conditional permanent residence, allowing you to work and live in the country from day one.
In either case, both options facilitate family reunification under U.S. immigration laws and require careful planning.
Consulting official guidelines and keeping your documentation in order will significantly increase your chances of approval.
This article was originally published in Nueva News.
